"That's easily debatable, everyone's version of pain is different."
Roman kept from laughing, not wanting to draw attention. "This woman." He thought to himself. Closing the grill top, he backed away, moving closer to where the moth flew. He positions his hand in the air, waiting for it to fly back. "Those matching tattoos aren't just a Lynn and I thing. It was Adams's idea."
Zadia would've never guessed it'd be Adams's idea. "Let me guess, you all were young and stupid."
"Incredibly, but it's one of those things you don't regret." He chuckled. "Unless you're Adam. Lynn dared him to get it on his ass." Zadia laughed at what he shared, picturing what they all must've looked like long ago. When the moth flew back his way, he quickly closed his hand, successfully capturing it. "Come here."
"I think not." Zadia was quick to say, shaking her head. Tino outstretched his arms, wanting to see what was in his uncle's hand.
"Zadia, relax," Roman said, walking her way. "It won't hurt you, I promise." Stepping in front of them, he held his hands out. "Watch." Slowly, he opened his hands and Zadia watched nervously as the moth's bright yellow wings flickered. Its wings had black markings at the tips and its borders were narrow with brown speckles. "Look, Tino." He said, putting the moth closer.
Tino looked mesmerized. He held up his hand, reaching for it.
Zadia smiled, watching how happy he looked. "Not so bad?" Roman asked her.
"No, not so bad." She agreed and when the moth flew away, she grinned and asked, "Did you see how big its eyes were? It was staring into my soul."
Roman smirked briefly at her reaction, looking back at Adam and Lynn. They were laughing hysterically on the dock, wrestling each other to see who would fall into the water first. "I have to go stop the two of them, don't forget about your beans."
"Ughhh, beans. Right." Zadia sighed, looking at Tino as she paced to the house. She sometimes hated cooking because of the time it took. "I don't see how you guys aren't afraid of moths." She fanned herself with her hand, wanting a shower. Playfully she raised Tino's arms, smelling and tickling him. He giggled, thrashing around. "You're just as smelly as me bud." She joked, opening the sliding.
Zadia walked to the living room, flicking on the lights and television. She dragged Tino's playpen to the center of the room and he started to fuss when Zadia tried to put him in. "I can't hold you forever Tino." She told him but he fussed more, gripping her top. "Santino." She said his first name and he grew quiet, breathing in like he was going to cry. "That's not gonna get you out of this, bud. I'll be right in the kitchen."
Tears welled in Tino's eyes as he fussed.
Zadia played an episode of his kiddie show, waiting a few seconds for him to quiet down before slipping out of the living room to finish her soup.
••••
"You know how to put out a grill?" Roman questioned Abel, looking away from the sky. It reminded him of one of Zadia's paintings that he had in storage. An ever-changing canvas of colors.
Abel raised his eyebrows. "You trying to be funny?" Abel scoffed. "Of course I do, I'm young, not stupid." He nodded his way. "You want me to do it?" He asked, waiting for the confirmation. "Or you want me to ask Adam to do it?"
ChApTeR - 18 🔞
Start from the beginning
